According to new research, art is also good for our health. Researchers recruited 50 volunteers, who were either sent to view artworks in London’s Courtauld Gallery, or shown reproductions in a non-gallery setting. Their cytokines and cortisol levels, which indicate stress, were also measured. Researchers noted a 22% drop in cortisol levels for those in the Courtauld Gallery, compared to just 8% for the other group. This is a unique finding and something we were genuinely surprised to see.”Viewing art in a gallery lowers stress and inflammation, the study found.